Mercedes-Benz has, for the first time, sold more than two million vehicles in one year worldwide (+11.3%). In 2016, the luxury car manufacturer saw highest sales ever in many countries such as in Germany and in the USA.

In 2016, the Stuttgart-based premium brand sold a total of 2,083,888 vehicles worldwide, increasing its unit sales by 11.3% over CY2015. Commenting on the year’s numbers, Dr Dieter Zetsche, chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, said: “2016 was the most successful year for Mercedes-Benz in the history of the company, and the sixth record year in succession. With new cars with pioneering design that inspire our customers and with particularly strong growth, above all in China and Europe, we have climbed to the top of the premium segment. And we are accelerating further – with new technologies, products and services.”

“Our growth strategy is taking effect. Since 2013, Mercedes-Benz has grown every year at a double-digit rate. Mercedes-Benz is now the premium brand with the strongest unit sales; we have achieved our goal four years earlier than we aimed for. In 2016, Mercedes-Benz for the first time sold more than two million cars, an increase of over 11 percent,” said Ola Källenius, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, so far responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing & Sales and since January 1, 2017 responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development.

The year 2016 ended for Mercedes-Benz with the highest-ever unit sales in a December, which was also the 46th consecutive record month (190,269 units, +6.8%), and with the best quarter of all time (545,967 units, +10.2%). In full-year 2016, Mercedes-Benz was the best-selling premium brand for example in Germany, Italy, Portugal, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Taiwan, the USA and Canada.

Best-ever sales and double-digit growth in Europe: Europe was the biggest sales region of Mercedes-Benz once again in 2016. With growth of 12.4%, primarily due to strong sales of the E-Class and the SUVs, best-ever volumes were achieved; nearly 900,000 Mercedes-Benz vehicles were sold to customers in Europe in the past twelve months. In Germany, a total of 293,209 customers decided in favour of a new car with the three-pointed star, an increase of 7.2% compared with the previous year. Mercedes-Benz achieved strong double-digit growth in 2016 in the major markets of Great Britain (+16.6%), France (+16.7%), Italy (+16.6%), Spain (+18.2%) and Belgium (+17.5%).

Strongest growth in APAC region: Demand for Mercedes-Benz models in the Asia-Pacific region was higher than ever in the year 2016. 734,169 vehicles were delivered to their new owners, an increase of 19.3%. China was once again the biggest individual market for Mercedes-Benz, in terms of both absolute unit sales and growth: Full-year sales there increased by more than a quarter to the new record of 472,844 units (+26.6%). The Stuttgart-based company with the three-pointed star posted new best-ever unit sales last year also in Japan (+3.5%), South Korea (+25%), Australia (+14.8%), Taiwan (+17.4%) and Malaysia (+8.6%).

Best-ever unit sales in the NAFTA region

In the NAFTA region, nearly 400,000 Mercedes-Benz automobiles were sold last year (+0.6%). 340,237 vehicles were delivered to customers in the USA, where Mercedes-Benz was able to maintain the high sales level of 2015. More vehicles were sold than ever before in one year in Canada (+4%) and Mexico (+34.4%).

Over 635,000 compact cars sold: Unit sales of the Mercedes-Benz compact cars surpassed the record set in 2015 by 9.3% with sales of 636,903 cars comprising the new A- or B-Class, CLA, CLA Shooting Brake or GLA. Demand for compact cars was particularly strong in China and Germany. The revised versions of the CLA and CLA Shooting Brake came into the showrooms last year, both of which are produced for the world market exclusively in Kecskemét, Hungary. And the new GLA has now been presented at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

C-Class remains best-selling model: The C-Class was once again the highest-volume Mercedes-Benz model in 2016, selling approximately 425,000 units of the Saloon and Estate. Its biggest market last year was China, where demand was strong and a new high was set for the long-wheelbase version of the C-Class Saloon, which is produced exclusively for that market. The enduring popularity of the C-Class can be seen from its sales figures since market launch: Nine million C-Class Saloons and Estates have been delivered since 1982.

SUVs strongest segment with over 700,000 units sold: The model offensive with SUVs is paying off, with sales increasing to 706,170 units in 2016, up 34.3%. Never before have so many units of the GLA, GLC, GLC Coupé, GLE, GLE Coupé, GLS and G-Class models been delivered to customers in a single year, says the carmaker. The GLC enjoyed especially strong growth last year. Thanks to strong growth rates 2016 the prime father of the SUVs, the G-Class, achieved a new sales record with nearly 20,000 units sold in one year.

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